A facelift is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to reduce aging lines, tighten sagging facial muscles, and provide a subtle lift to the face.
At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss various steps involved in the procedure. With clear information about the procedure, the patient’s pre-surgery anxiety may be relieved to some extent.
Dr. Paul McCluskey is an experienced plastic surgeon providing facelift and other surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive facelift surgery from Dr. McCluskey.
Pre-Surgical Preparation
Prior to facelift surgery, the patient will be required to make some preparation in order to ensure safe and predictable results. The surgeon will instruct the patient to refrain from consuming tobacco, excessive alcohol, excessive fatty and sugary foods as well as using blood thinners, NSAIDs, and certain vitamin and herbal supplements for a few days.
Anesthesia
Facelift may be performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. This decision will be made at the time of surgical planning. In case of general anesthesia, the patient will remain unconscious through the surgery.
An anesthesiologist or a certified nurse anesthetist will administer general anesthesia. Once the surgery is completed, the patient will be brought out of anesthesia, but mild side effects will linger on for a few hours.
Incision Placement
Following anesthesia, the cosmetic surgeon will start the procedure by placing the incisions in pre-determined locations. Their goal will be to minimize the size of incisions and place them in discreet locations so that any subsequent scarring remains as inconspicuous as possible. The incisions will generally be placed within the hairline, but their exact number and length can differ according to the type of technique used.
Minor incisions can be placed in the natural facial creases because these locations not only heal better but also hide the scars more naturally. In a traditional facelift surgery, the incision will begin behind the hairline on one side of the head, slightly above the temple. It will then follow the hairline down to the ear, continuing into the lower scalp under the hair.
Muscle and Skin Tightening
Through the incisions, the surgeon will gently lift the facial skin to remove or redistribute excess fat tissue, reposition weak muscles, and excessive loose skin. After the facial contours have been improved, the surgeon will re-drape the skin tightly and smoothly using staples or sutures. Thereafter, the incision sites will be wrapped in bandages to protect them.
Multiple Procedures with Facelift
Facelift can be combined with other procedures in some cases to achieve more comprehensive results. Liposuction of the face and neck may be performed to reduce excess fat deposits in the area and improve facial contour.
Facial fat transfer, cheek, chin or lip implants, or lip augmentation with dermal fillers may be added along with facelift. The facelift surgery steps will be slightly adjusted depending on the additional procedures involved.
Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for facelift surgery.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit: